Messi's hat-trick steals the show in a one-man performance—Is Argentina's Argentina set for a successful title defense?

Written by Nino On the evening of June 16 local time, Argentina faced Algeria in Kansas City made their World Cup debut against Algeria. Asha in their opening match. As the defending champions heading into the World Cup, Argentina were often asked during the buildup about managing the pressure of defending their title. Scaloni answered in the pre-match press conference: "The key word is calm. We'confidence." From the coaching staff to the players, everyone in the Argentina squad knows that Messi is the ultimate source of confidence.

38-year-old younger, at 38, Messi only played 20 minutes in the warm-up match warm-up due to muscle fatigue, but no Argentine media questioned his form. In his first his role in World Cup, Messi repaid the nation's love with his energy: scoring goals for his World Cup hat-trick, tying Klose for the assist from Klose as the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, leading Argentina to a-0 victory over opening win.

This match coincided the anniversary of Messi's national team World Cup debut. In Germany, an 18-year-old Messi came off the pitch to score a pass and a goal against, marking his story. Exactly years later, at the age of 38 years and 357 days, Messi stood on the grass of the City Stadium and told the world with three goals: story is far from over.

In terms of the starting lineup for this match, Argentina reverted to a four- formation, with Romero and doubling up as central defenders, Medina replacingwas dropped from the match squad for his World Cup debut, while was on the right. Enzo and, and, De Paul and Lamata on wings, with and up front. Messi became the first player to compete in six World Cups, representing Argentina matches (a record), and playing his 27th World Cup game (the most in history.

In the first half, Argentina dominated for most of the time, although both sides had the same number of shots and even scored a goal, four-midfielder setup from Argentina and Messi's retreating left the short in midfield, making it hard for to the threat into Argentina's half. On the side, Messi was particularly match night was visibly excited. He not only frequently in attack but also tracked back multiple times to his own half. Within the first four minutes, he a with a goal to play with, but it was disallowed. After chance, the defense' focus on, De Paul a pass through the midfield to find Messi.

When Messi is allowed to face the defense with the ball just outside the box, he does what he has done what he' done times before: a long-range world- from range. There was also an issue with' save hand positioning by's second son, Luca, and the ball slipped through his hands into the net. Argentina into the break with a lead.

In the half, Scaloni made the first adjustments, replacing with, and swapping and for and. These changes kept the squad's momentum going and paid off: Messi initiated an attack, provided cross after coming on, causing chaos in defense, and a shot from caused to spill the ball, and Messi a tap-in to make it 2-0. minutes later, another assist from, and Messi scored a shot into the corner from the edge of the to seal the victory, scoring his first hat-trick of his Cup career. At the age of 38 years and 357 days, he became the oldest player to score a hat- in a World Cup. He also became the fourth Argentine player to achieve feat in World Cup and increased his goal contributions to 24, his own record.

Argentina, eventually won 3-0 over In this victory them from the of not with a win in their two World Cups, and Scaloni's halftime changes and the of new such as Lamata and Medina demonstrated that Messi's effect, it that the team is in the perfect for a generation transition.

Messi says he feels good after match: "It's 6th World Cup and I still feel great. Luckily, I played well today and the team won a tough match. Starting with a win is important because the opener is never easy in the World Cup."

Scaloni said after match: "I don't know to describe him (). He surprises us day in training and did it again today on the field. We just need to enjoy the time he wears this jersey." De Paul, who assisted, said: "Messi is a beast. We run to clear the path for him to his magic. We are proud to see his with three goals， and it us confidence for the future."

Algeria's captain also applauded M: "We the we thought was right, but any tactic is ineffective against the best of all. When M decides to win the match, he can do it. We must congratulate him."

Some said that after the World Cup win the baggage off his shoulders. That true and with that, hasn't stopped running, still, and still scoring.

Tonight fans are happy, with a 38-year-old Messi who is still capable of anything. Messi and Argentina are also happy because they have the most important to victory: and goal.

with 16 goals, Messi to tie the record and might become the sole top scorer. Defend the title? It hasn't been done for 64 years, with Messi, they have hope.